Improvement in hydrocarbon-gas apparatus



B. SLOPER.

HYDRO-CARBON GAS APPARATUS. 110.176,411. Patented Apr118,1876,

NPETERS. PHDTD-LITHOGRFHER. WASHINGTON, D C.

UNITED STATES PATENT (Braueno BYRON` sLoPER, oF NEW YORK, n.A Y.

IMPROVEMENT IN HYQROCARBONGAS APPARATUS.

` pecication forming part of Letters Patent No. 176,411, dated April 18, 1876; application led April 6, 1876.

To all whom it mag/,concern Be it known that I, BYRON SLOPER, ofthe city, county, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Hydrocarbon-Gas Apparatus for illuminating purposes, of which the following isa full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings and the letters of reference marked thereon.

My invention relates to certain improvements in the manufacture of gas for illuminating purposes, its object being to produce an apparatus in which the gas will be automatic- .ally generated and supplied in quantities as desired, and of auniform illuminating standard.

My inventionv consists in an improved apparatus for utilizing' the temperature developed by the-decomposition ofthe water in the genera tion of the gas, furthe-purpose of automatically controlling andregulatingthe temperature of the hydrocarbon liquid employed to arburet the gas, as more fully hereinafter set orth. i

- rIhe drawing showsa sectional view of my improved apparatus, inwhich the letter A represents a tank or vessel, constructed of copper orV other suitable,` material, and of any conl venient size or capacity. The letter'B represents a closed. vessel lor carbureter, adapted to fit upon the top of the vessel A, and provided with a tubular projection, C, extending down into the vessel A, for holding the hydrocarbonliquid, and bringing the same in contact with the acidulated water, for the purpose of heating and vaporizing the same by the heat `developed by the decomposition of y the 'water in the," generation o'f the 'hydrogen resents an annular perforated tray, supported within the vessel A upon standards or legs H, or in any other convenient manner, the tubular projection of the carbureter extending down intothe central cylinder or opening I in the annular tray, as shown.

The letter K represents-a compartment in the upper part ofthe carbureter, which is lilled with curled hair, brous material, or other condensing material; and L, a pipe provided with a valve, through which the carbureter vmay be lled.

The operation of my invention is as follows: The vessel A being 'properly filled with sulphuric acid and water, and the annular tray with iron or other metal, when the carbureter `is, put in position the bell attached to the same covers the tray and receives the hydrogen gas generated b`y the decomposition ot" the water. The gas will be generated only in quantities as required for use, a more extended surface of the metal being exposed to the action of the acidulated water as the quantity of gas drawn oft' is increased, rendering the apparatus entirely automaticin its operation. rIlhe heat resulting from the decomposition of the water I utilize for maintaining the temperature of the hydrocarbon at the proper and uniform standard, as follows: The decomposition, when the acid is fresh and the apparatus is first started, is sufficient to properly evaporate the hydrocarbon; but, as the acidv becomes neutralized after working, the chemical action is less active and the heat generated thereby becomes considerably diminished. But, as the chemical action becomes thus retarded, the acidulated water rises in the bell and surrounds the tubular projection of 'the carbureter containing the oil to an extent dependent upon the quantity Having thus fully described my invention, what Ielailn, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

In an apparatus for generating gas the carbureter, provided with a tubular projection extending downward into the hydrogeivgen` vrator, for the purpose of automatically regulating the temperature of the hydrocarbon in the carbureter, substantially ns herein set forth and shown.

In testimony that I claim the above as my invention, I have hereunto seb my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses this 5th day of April, 1876.

BYRON SLOPE Witnesses GHAS. L. GoReULs, W. E. UHAFFEE. 

